Maximalist Style: Overview
Are you someone who loves bold, colorful decor and isn’t afraid to make a statement with your home? If so, maximalism might be the perfect style for you!
Maximalist home decor is all about embracing opulence and extravagance, emphasizing bold patterns, vibrant colors, and a mix of textures and materials. It’s a style that celebrates excess and encourages you to go all out and make a statement with your decor.
But maximalism isn’t just about filling your home with as much stuff as possible. The key to creating a successful maximalist look is careful curation – selecting and arranging your decorative items with intention. Mixing and matching patterns and textures, using bold and vibrant colors, and layering decorative elements can create a cohesive and polished maximalist look that reflects your personality and style.
This guide will explore the core tenets of maximalist decor and provide tips on achieving it in your own home. From selecting the right furniture and decor to creating visual balance and adding personality to your space, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maximalist home decor style. So if you’re ready to embrace your love of excess and make a statement with your decor, read on!
Principles of Maximalism
Maximalism is a design movement that celebrates excess and opulence with bold patterns, vibrant colors, and a mix of textures and materials. It’s a style that says “more is more” and encourages you to go all out with your decor.
At its core, maximalism takes inspiration from styles like Art Nouveau, the opulent ’80s, and high-end couture fashion. It thrives on being eclectic, so in a maximalist home, you can mix and match different patterns, textures, and materials. But the key to getting maximalism right is careful curation. By selecting and arranging your pieces with intention, you can create a cohesive, polished look that avoids chaos and clutter.
There are a few guidelines to follow when achieving maximalism in your home. Mixing patterns and textiles is important, as is using multiples – for example, don’t just place two candlesticks on your fireplace mantle, go all out and deck it out with twenty. Fill your walls with as much artwork as they can hold, and don’t be afraid to add extra statement chandeliers or other decorative elements.
Pay attention to scale and placement to achieve visual balance in a busy maximalist style. A long sofa should be paired with a long coffee table, and furniture should be kept at roughly the same height. Visual balance can also be achieved by pairing low-back chairs with shelves and artwork that go up to the ceiling, or by creating visual symmetry through the placement of furniture and decor. By following these guidelines, you can create a maximalist space that feels cohesive and thoughtful rather than chaotic and sloppy.
Maximalism in Architecture
While maximalism is primarily an interior style, it can also be applied to a home’s architecture. For inspiration, look to avant-garde architects like Frank Gehry or design movements like Art Nouveau, which both embrace bold, extravagant styles.
To bring maximalism to the exterior of your home, consider adding architectural elements that add visual interest. This could include painting your front door boldly, installing decorative corbels in doorways, or adding a chunky mantle to your fireplace. You could also add whimsical shutters or a funky mailbox to give your home some personality.
Inside the home, maximalism can be achieved through the use of colorful mosaics. These can be added to the floor of your entryway or outdoor patio, or used as backsplashes in the kitchen or as shower tiles. To create a one-of-a-kind mosaic detail, consider heading to home improvement stores and asking for discarded pieces that are broken and can’t be sold. Smash them up a bit more and you’ll have exactly what you need to create a unique and eye-catching detail.
Overall, maximalism in architecture is all about adding bold, extravagant touches to your home that reflect your personal style and make a statement. Whether it’s through the use of color, pattern, or texture, maximalism allows you to embrace your love of excess and create a home that truly stands out.
Furniture, Wall Styles and Artwork
When it comes to furniture in a maximalist home, the key is choosing pieces that you love and reflect your personal style. This could mean mixing and matching different styles and periods, such as a wingback chair next to a streamlined sofa or a Greek revival credenza paired with a glass mid-century modern coffee table. The key to getting the maximalist look right is to carefully curate your pieces over time, choosing only those that bring you joy and are filled with happy memories.
Colors and patterns are also important in maximalism and can tie the look of your home together. Choose a color tone – whether faded, bold, or somewhere in between – and stick with it throughout your home. You can mix and match different colors as long as they are all at the same saturation level. To help define the colors and patterns for the rest of your design, consider adding a multi-colored, funky patterned wallpaper with a large repeating pattern, such as Serena & Lily’s “Palmetto.”
Once your walls are set, you can start bringing in accent pieces that play off your chosen colors and patterns. Throw pillows, curtains, and area rugs are all great ways to add texture and interest to a maximalist space. Just be sure to take your time and make sure each piece you bring in adds to the overall decor of your home. Maximalism is a style that can’t be rushed, so take your time and enjoy creating a truly unique home that reflects your personal style.
